How to Skim Board

Back in the early 70's, late 60's there was a group of surfers out in California that were upset that they couldn't surf. The waves were flat, the beach was desolate and they were very upset about the whole situation. They decided to get an old board that had no fins on it, and slide it across the standing water of the inner beach. To their surprise, it slid along the water. Before long they were standing on the board and riding it as it slid along the tiny layer of water that was on the sand when the tiny waves came in. Thus skim boarding was created.

Now it's a national sport, and some places like Florida, where there is a body of water but there isn't many or any waves, skim boarding is the rule and the norm. But it's come a long way from those days back in the 70's. Now skim borders pull off tricks and surf moves that was never dreamt of by the bored kids of the old California surf craze. The board is now a tiny thin piece of board and fiberglass with wax on one side, and a slick glass finish on the bottom. So how do you get started? Buy a skim board. They can be found at numerous places throughout the beach stores. When you're starting you don't need anything fancy.

Caution, Skim boarding is easy to begin, but a little more difficult to perfect and do. The most important thing about skim boarding is to practice as much as you can. The more you practice, the more you understand how and where to do everything.

Before you start, try throwing the board on the water a few times to see what it does, and what it looks like when it is skimming down the water. Hold the board flat next to you opposite the side where the water is. The board should be held at hip level with the deck, the top part where you stand, facing up. Run and toss the board parallel to the shore. You will see a thin layer of water where the water continues to ebb and recede. Do not throw the board in such a way that it will be going towards dry land. Pay attention to where and how you throw it.

Now that you know what it's going to do. Run as fast as you can, throw the board, and jump on. Try to center yourself on the board, or you will fall off. Try to stand in such a way that you will continue the forward momentum. Unfortunately, this is the most amount of teaching that can be done with a skim board. You have to go out and experience, practice, and try it.